St Kilda great Danny Frawley has turned his back on an offer from Hawthorn and will join St Kilda as a part-time coach working with the team's defenders.

Frawley, 51, will work with the Saints three days a week, having long wanted to play a role at a club where he forged a reputation as one of the finest fullbacks of his era.

The Saints confirmed Frawley's appointment in a statement on Monday morning.

Frawley "will assist the Saints backline coach and use his extensive coaching experience to help advise St Kilda's tall defenders and forwards as well as the St Kilda coaching staff and the Saints Player Academy", the statement read.

It's believed the Saints feel he can manage this role alongside his radio and television commitments during the AFL season.

The Hawks had thought Frawley had accepted an offer to be a part-time assistant coach, also working with the defenders. However, the Saints offered more days - it's understood the Hawks' role was only for two days.

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While the Hawks announced on Friday Frawley would join the club, Fairfax Media revealed on Sunday he was also considering an offer from the Saints.

On Monday morning Hawthorn released a statement confirming that they had agreed to release Frawley from his role at the club.

Frawley played 240 matches for the Saints as a rugged full-back and is also a former club captain. He would later be an assistant coach at Collingwood before accepting the top job at Richmond, a club he guided from 2000 to 2004.

He stepped down this year as chief executive of the AFL Coaches Association amid a call for change .

The Hawks will now look for a replacement to work alongside Adem Yze, their new full-time defensive coach.